County breaks ground on ice center

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“It’s been a tough journey for us in our careers,” Peter added. “We’ve had to spend many years away from our family and our friends, and we want to eliminate that. We want to try to offer an opportunity for the community here in Nassau County, to allow these families to stay together and develop right here in our backyard.”

The indoor ice rinks will be located inside the Ferraro Brothers Ice Center. The outdoor rink will be used for skating lessons, youth programs and tournaments and by hockey teams of all ages, Mangano said. The sports and recreation center will also include an artificial-turf field, four NBA- and NCAA-regulation basketball courts, a handball wall and a skating and stroller path connecting the complex with existing paths surrounding the Aquatic Center.

The center will become the home of at least two youth hockey organizations — the Long Island Gulls Amateur Hockey Association and the New York Junior Bobcats. “In today’s day and age, anything that engages our young people in a positive way has to be a good thing,” said Gonsalves.

Mangano said that the complex is expected to create about 20 jobs and generate $35 million for the county over the next five years without raising taxes. “Creating this kind of sports entertainment destination will enhance our quality of life as well as create jobs and opportunities for residents,” he said.